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[Baiqian (Caulis Petasitis)]
Sweet and acrid, slightly warm, non-toxic.

Invention: Li Shizhen said: Baiqian enters the Lung Meridian of Hand-Taiyin, excels at descending Qi, and is suitable for patients with excess stagnation of Lung Qi accompanied by phlegm. In *Jingui Yaolue* (Essential Prescriptions from the Golden Cabinet), Zeqi Tang (Ze Latex Decoction) is used to treat cough with a deep pulse because it contains Baiqian. In *Shenshi Fang* (Deep Master's Formulas), Baqian Tang (Baiqian Decoction) is used to treat chronic cough with asthma, edema, shortness of breath, inability to lie flat requiring leaning support, and wheezing sounds resembling those of a water frog. In *Waitai Miyao* (Secret Essentials of the Outer Treasury), a combination of Baiqian, Jiegeng (Platycodon Root), Sangbaipi (Mulberry Root Bark), and Gancao (Licorice Root) is used to treat chronic cough with hemoptysis, all chosen for their ability to descend Qi. It should not be used for deficiency-type coughs characterized by frequent choking sensations. Baiqian is slightly warmer than Baiwei (Dipsaci Radix) and slightly milder than Xixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma); it specifically searches out wind-water pathogens in the lung orifices. It differs from Baiwei, which is salty and cold, specifically clearing dry-heat in the Lung and Stomach; nor is it like Xixin, which is pungent and penetrating, treating deep-cold in the Kidney and Liver.

[Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix)]
Sweet and acrid, warm, non-toxic. Danggui produced in Sichuan has strong potency and can be used for attacking pathogens; Danggui produced in Shaanxi has mild potency and can be used for tonification. For treating the primary disease, use wine-processing; for cases with phlegm, use ginger juice processing. White powder-gui has inferior properties and is not included in tonifying formulas.

*Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) states it treats cough with rebellious Qi, warm malaria with chills and fever, a sensation of cold in the skin, leukorrhea (non-menstrual vaginal bleeding) in women, infertility, various malignant sores, traumatic injuries, and decocted juice is drunk.

Invention: The aroma and flavor of Danggui are dense; it can ascend and descend, entering the Blood aspect of the Heart Meridian of Hand-Shaoyin, Spleen Meridian of Foot-Taiyin, and Liver Meridian of Foot-Jueyin. It must be used whenever blood pathology occurs or when diseases worsen at night. *Shennong Bencao Jing* states it treats cough with rebellious Qi, warm malaria with shivering chills, leukorrhea, and infertility, attributing these effects to its pungent, warm, and blood-nourishing properties. It is also essential for postpartum upward rushing of evil blood. *Mingyi Bielu* (Record of Famous Physicians) states it warms the middle and stops pain. Zhen Quan treated dysentery with abdominal pain and women's dripping blood with lower back pain. Hao Gu treated disorders of the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) with rebellious Qi and abdominal urgency, and disorders of the Dai Mai (Girdle Vessel) with abdominal pain and a loose sensation in the lower back as if sitting in water. Its function specializes in breaking up evil blood, nourishing new blood, moistening the intestines and stomach, enriching sinews and bones, lustrating the skin, managing carbuncles and ulcers, discharging pus, and stopping pain; generally, pain arises from blood stagnation and lack of flow. Danggui is sweet and warm, harmonizing Ying-Blood; acrid and warm, dispersing internal cold, ensuring Qi and Blood each return to their proper residence. It enters the Heart Meridian of Hand-Shaoyin, which governs Blood; the Spleen Meridian of Foot-Taiyin, which envelopes Blood; and the Liver Meridian of Foot-Jueyin, which stores Blood. The body of the root nourishes blood, while the tail moves blood. Combined with Renshen (Ginseng Root) and Huangqi (Astragalus Root), it tonifies Qi to generate Blood. Combined with Qianniuxiang (Pharbitis Seed) and Dahuang (Rhubarb Root), it moves Qi and purges Blood. Combined with Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig), Fuzi (Aconite Lateral Root Preparata), and Wuyu (Evodia Fruit), it becomes hot. Combined with Dahuang (Rhubarb Root) and Mangxiao (Mirabilite), it becomes cold. For blood deficiency, Ren Shen (Ginseng Root) and Chishao (Red Peony Root) are used as assistants; for blood heat, Shengdihuang (Rehmannia Root Preparata) and Huangqin (Scutellaria Root) are used as assistants. Zhang Zhongjing treated Yang pathogen sinking into Yin, presenting with cold extremities and a fine pulse nearly imperceptible, using Danggui Sini Tang (Angelica Frigid Extremities Decoction), adding Danggui, Xixin, and Tongcao (Tetrapanacis Caulis) to Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) to unblock the blood vessels. Even in cases of dysentery with a large pulse and Qi failing to anchor, this formula is used to anchor the Qi. For all cases of blood deficiency generating fever, Danggui Buxue Tang (Angelica Tonifying Blood Decoction) is used, comprising 3 qian of Danggui and 1 liang of Huangqi, taken in three doses. For stabbing pain under the heart, a single dose of Danggui decocted in wine is administered. It specifically governs all diseases of the blood aspect. Li Dongyuan stated that Danggui is a blood herb; why does *Shennong Bencao Jing* treat cough with rebellious Qi? Analysis: Danggui is pungent and dispersing, acting as a Qi-moving agent within the blood; therefore, for cough with rebellious Qi caused by Yin deficiency with Yang lacking attachment, using blood herbs to tonify Yin harmonizes the blood and descends the Qi. Disorders of the Chong, Ren, Du, and Dai vessels cannot do without it. However, it is strictly contraindicated for patients with diarrhea or phlegm-fluid retention.